4 comments

Fiction

The Final Scene

“Cut!” The Director’s voice echoed across the film set, signalling the end of yet another successful take. Cameras halted, lights dimmed, and the actors took a collective breath of relief. The movie they were filming, “Enigma” was an ambitious project, and the cast and crew had poured their hearts and souls into making it a masterpiece.

Amelia, a talented but introverted actress was playing the lead role of Sarah, a brilliant codebreaker, caught in a web of secrets and deception, set in London in World War 2.

She was known for her exceptional ability to immerse herself in the characters she portrayed, but her quiet nature often left her isolated amidst the bustling film set.

As the crew prepared for the next scene, Amelia wandered away from the commotion, seeking solace in the corners of the set. As she wandered further around the set, she found herself in an old and forgotten room that seemed to be a relic of the past film productions. Dusty film cannisters lined the shelves, and a sense of nostalgia enveloped her.

Lost in her thoughts, Amelia stumbled upon an old, worn-out script tucked between two cannisters. The cover read “The Darkness of Yesterday”. Intrigued, she blew off the dust and began to read. The story was hauntingly beautiful, centred around a lost love and the unravelling of a dark secret. She couldn’t help but be drawn into the story, captivated by its enigmatic allure. The script was beautifully written, the story overwhelmingly sad, yet intriguing and powerful and Amelia became completely lost in reading as if she herself was playing this part.

Unbeknownst to Amelia, as she read on, the film set seemed to come alive with a newfound energy. Strange occurrences began to unfold. Lights flickered inexplicably, props moved on their own, and whispers of long forgotten voices echoed through the halls. The once organised and efficient set turned into a playground for unexplained phenomena. The air became colder, cameras hotter and strange noises abounded.

On set, the director and crew struggled to maintain control. Scenes that once flowed effortlessly were now plagued by inexplicable disruptions. Cameras malfunctioned, actors stumbled on their lines, and a general sense of unease clouded the air.

Amelia, consumed by her fascination with the old script, became increasingly distant from her surroundings. The lines between reality and fiction became blurred as she found herself embodying the character from the past, a mysterious woman named Eliza, who was destined for heartbreak.

Cut! Again and again, the director called for breaks and re-takes, hoping to regain control of the chaotic set. But the strange occurrences persisted, leaving the crew bewildered, scared and concerned. Desperate for answers the production manager went in search of the missing Amelia. Finding her in the archives room, reading the old script, he delved into the archives to unearth the history of “The Darkness of Yesterday”.

What he discovered sent shivers down his spine. The film, shot decades ago, had been abruptly abandoned due to a series of tragic accidents on set. Rumours circulated about a vengeful spirit haunting the production, cursing the unfinished film. The chilling stories were eventually dismissed as superstitions, but now it seemed that the restless spirit had returned to claim its vengeance. He noticed that Amelia had become ghostly pale and her eyes were vacant and yet seemed to tell a thousand words. She didn’t seem to be listening to him and kept repeating various lines from the script. He didn’t want his leading lady to be harmed in any way although he was intrigued by what he was hearing. Her voice had taken on an almost ethereal quality and the words she was speaking were mesmerising. He called on some members of the crew and together they took Amelia to the Green Room for some rest and refreshment

. Even with all these disruptions, they were on a tight schedule and he was desperate to get the film wrapped up that day if possible.

However, once Amelia was back on set, her immersion into the past grew more intense. She began experiencing vivid dreams of Eliza’s life seeing her love and her heartache as though they were her own. The lines between Amelia and Eliza blurred, and she struggled to differentiate her reality from the world of the past. Although the director had his concerns he decided to carry on with the filming.

As they continued, the presence of the vengeful spirit grew stronger, manifesting in eerie shadows and chilling gusts of wind. The crew’s fear escalated, but with the director’s insistence, they pressed on, hoping to complete the film and dispel the haunting.

In a pivotal scene, Amelia, now deeply connected to Eliza, delivered a heart wrenching monologue that mirrored Eliza’s tragic fate. As she recited the lines, her performance transcended acting, it became an emotional release, a catharsis that resonated with the ghostly presence on set. The director and the crew were enthralled.

Everything fell silent, as if the world had paused for breath. A soft ethereal voice filled the air, enveloping everyone present. The voice carries through time, finally finding solace in Amelia’s heartfelt portrayal.

With tears in her eyes, Amelia felt the connection between her and the spirit. She whispered words of forgiveness, understanding and release. In that moment, the vengeful presence dissipated, leaving behind an air of tranquillity.

As the last scene was filmed, the energy on set had transformed into something magical and surreal. The haunting presence was gone, replaced by a sense of closure and peace. The film was completed, but it was more than just a movie, it was a cathartic journey for all involved.

“Enigma” premiered to critical acclaim, with Amelia’s performance drawing particular praise. No one knew of the strange events that transpired on set, and the tale of the vengeful spirit became an unsolved mystery.

However, it became a legend in the film industry, whispered among actors and crew members for generations to come. It was a tale of mystery, magic and the transformative power of storytelling, an enigmatic escape into the realms of the unknown.

July 19, 2023 13:48

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4 comments

Sue Hunter
00:30 Jul 28, 2023

Hi Juliet! I’m going to be giving you a long review today in order to hone my critiquing skills. I’ll list my favorite moments and my not-so-favorite moments, but just remember that everything in this comment is my own opinion and isn’t meant to offend in any way. Pros: This story has a fascinating setting. Something paranormal happening on set is not something I’ve read or watched before (at least not in recent memory). There is a lot you can do with a movie set being haunted, and you use a lot of great descriptions in the stock room that...

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Juliet Carolan
10:05 Jul 28, 2023

Thank you your comments are actually really helpful and I can see the errors I made. Great feed back for my next attempt, thanks.

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Rabab Zaidi
11:40 Jul 23, 2023

Beautiful! Very well written ! I was completely mesmerized!

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Juliet Carolan
12:17 Jul 23, 2023

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it 😊

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